The Washington Commanders are one of the National Football League’s oldest and most historically significant franchises. The organization began in Boston in 1932 as the Boston Braves, moved to Washington in 1937, and has gone through several names and eras before becoming the Washington Commanders in 2022. Over more than nine decades, the franchise has won two NFL championships before the Super Bowl era and three Super Bowl championships, produced numerous Pro Football Hall of Famers, and become associated with legendary figures such as Sammy Baugh, Bobby Mitchell, Darrell Green, John Riggins, Art Monk, Joe Gibbs and many others. The Franchise History is Officially Recognized As 1932: Boston Braves 1933–1936: Boston Redskins 1937–2019: Washington Redskins 2020–2021: Washington Football Team 2022–present: Washington Commanders Washington has won NFL championships in 1937 and 1942, followed by Super Bowl championships in 1982, 1987 and 1991. The Beginning: Boston Braves The franchise was established in 1932 when George Preston Marshall headed a group that purchased an NFL franchise in Boston. The original team was called the Boston Braves, and the club played its first season at Braves Field, the home of baseball’s Boston Braves. After the 1932 season, the organization changed its nickname to the Redskins. The team played at Fenway Park from 1933 through 1936. In 1937, the franchise moved from Boston to Washington, D.C. The move immediately produced one of the greatest beginnings in NFL history. Washington won the NFL championship in its first season in the nation’s capital. All Home Stadiums of the Franchise The Washington franchise has called seven principal stadium configurations home during its history. 1. Braves Field — Boston, Massachusetts 1932 Braves Field was the original home of the franchise when it entered the NFL as the Boston Braves in 1932. It was primarily a baseball stadium and was home to the Boston Braves of Major League Baseball. 2. Fenway Park — Boston, Massachusetts 1933–1936 After the franchise changed its name to the Boston Redskins, the team moved to Fenway Park. The football team shared the famous Boston stadium with the Boston Red Sox. 3. Griffith Stadium — Washington, D.C. 1937–1960 The franchise moved to Washington in 1937 and played at Griffith Stadium. This was the site of the team’s first Washington championship season. The 1937 Redskins won the NFL championship, defeating the Chicago Bears. Washington returned to the NFL championship game in 1942 and defeated the Bears again. Griffith Stadium therefore witnessed the beginning of Washington’s championship tradition. 4. D.C. Stadium / RFK Stadium — Washington, D.C. 1961–1996 Washington moved into the new D.C. Stadium in 1961. The facility was renamed Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, commonly known as RFK Stadium, in 1969. RFK became one of the most recognizable home fields in franchise history. The stadium was home for 36 seasons and hosted Washington through the George Allen era, the early Joe Gibbs era and the first two Super Bowl championships of the modern era. The Commanders’ own history describes RFK as the team’s home for 35 seasons from 1961 through 1996. 5. Jack Kent Cooke Stadium — Landover, Maryland 1997–1999 Washington moved across the Potomac into suburban Maryland in 1997. The new stadium was named Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in honor of the longtime owner who had died earlier that year. It opened shortly after Cooke’s death. 6. FedExField — Landover, Maryland 1999–2023 The stadium was renamed FedExField in 1999 after Washington sold the naming rights. It remained Washington’s home for 25 seasons. The stadium hosted the team throughout the majority of the Daniel Snyder ownership era and through the franchise’s transition from Redskins to Washington Football Team and then Commanders. 7. Northwest Stadium — Landover, Maryland 2024–present The stadium became known as Northwest Stadium in 2024. It remains the Commanders’ current home. The franchise is also planning a future return to Washington, D.C., with a new stadium project at the former RFK Stadium site targeted for the future. The Owners of the Washington Franchise Ownership has changed several times during the franchise’s long history. George Preston Marshall 1932–1969 George Preston Marshall was the founder of the franchise. He helped establish the Boston Braves in 1932, renamed the club the Redskins in 1933 and moved the organization to Washington in 1937. Marshall was also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor. Under Marshall, Washington won NFL championships in 1937 and 1942. Edward Bennett Williams 1960s–1970s — President and Partial Owner Edward Bennett Williams became one of the most important figures in the franchise during the transition from Marshall to Jack Kent Cooke. Williams served as team president and held an ownership interest. He was instrumental in the organization during the late Marshall and early Cooke years. Jack Kent Cooke 1960–1997; Majority Owner from 1974 Cooke first purchased a minority interest in Washington in 1960. He became the franchise’s majority owner in 1974 and eventually became the sole owner. Cooke became one of the most influential owners in Washington sports history. His ownership produced the greatest sustained championship period in franchise history. Under Cooke, Washington won: Super Bowl XVII — 1982 season Super Bowl XXII — 1987 season Super Bowl XXVI — 1991 season Cooke also oversaw the construction of the stadium that originally carried his name. He died in 1997. The Cooke Estate and John Cooke 1997–1999 After Jack Kent Cooke’s death, ownership passed through his estate while the franchise was being prepared for sale. His son, John… Continue reading Washington Commanders: A Complete History
Tag: Fenway Park
Boston Red Sox: A Complete History of Baseball’s Most Historic Franchises
The Boston Red Sox are one of the oldest and most storied franchises in Major League Baseball. Founded in 1901 as the Boston Americans, the club became the Red Sox in 1908. Through more than 125 years of baseball, Boston has produced legendary players, endured one of baseball’s longest championship droughts, played in two historic ballparks, and won nine World Series championships. From Cy Young and Babe Ruth to Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz, the Red Sox have been home to some of the greatest players in baseball history. The Beginning: The Boston Americans The Red Sox franchise began in 1901 as one of the original eight American League Franchises. The team was initially known as the Boston Americans, and the club played its first home games at the Huntington Avenue Grounds. Boston won the first modern World Series in 1903, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in a series that lasted eight games. In 1908, owner John I. Taylor officially adopted the name Red Sox, following Boston’s earlier National League club abandoning its red stockings. Red Sox Home Ballparks The Red Sox have played their home games in only two permanent ballparks. Huntington Avenue Grounds 1901–1911 The Huntington Avenue Grounds was the original home of the franchise. It hosted the first modern World Series in 1903 and was also the site of Cy Young’s perfect game on May 5, 1904. The center-field wall was an incredible 635 feet from home plate. The ballpark was eventually demolished, and the site is now part of Northeastern University. Fenway Park 1912–Present Fenway Park opened in 1912 and has been the home of the Red Sox ever since. The first official game was played April 20, 1912, when Boston defeated the New York Highlanders, now the Yankees, 7–6 in 11 innings. Fenway has undergone numerous renovations, fires and expansions but remains the oldest operating ballpark in Major League Baseball. The famous Green Monster, Pesky’s Pole, the triangle in center field and the unusual dimensions have made Fenway one of the most recognizable stadiums in all of sports. All Red Sox Owners The Red Sox have had a remarkable succession of owners and ownership groups. Years Owner 1901–1902 Charles W. Somers 1903–1904 Henry J. Killilea 1904–1911 John I. Taylor 1912–1913 James R. McAleer 1913–1916 Joseph J. Lannin 1917–1923 Harry H. Frazee 1923–1933 J.A. Robert Quinn 1933–1976 Thomas A. Yawkey 1976–1977 Jean R. Yawkey 1978–1980 Jean R. Yawkey / Haywood Sullivan / Edward G. LeRoux Jr. 1981–1986 Jean R. Yawkey Trust / Haywood Sullivan / Edward G. LeRoux Jr. 1987–1993 Jean R. Yawkey Trust / Haywood Sullivan 1994–2002 Jean R. Yawkey Trust 2002–Present Henry-Werner Group This ownership history follows the Red Sox’s official ownership records. The Yawkey Era Tom Yawkey purchased the Red Sox in 1933 and remained owner until his death in 1976, making him the longest-tenured owner in franchise history. Yawkey spent heavily to improve Fenway Park and the team. During his ownership, Boston won American League pennants in 1946, 1967 and 1975, although all three World Series ended in defeat. The Current Ownership The Henry-Werner ownership group purchased the Red Sox in 2002. The group was led by John W. Henry, with Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino among its principal figures. Since 2002, the club has won four World Series championships: 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018. Boston Red Sox World Series Championships Boston has won nine World Series championships. Year Opponent Boston’s Record Result 1903 Pittsburgh Pirates 5–3 Won 1912 New York Giants 4–3–1 Won 1915 Philadelphia Phillies 4–1 Won 1916 Brooklyn Robins 4–1 Won 1918 Chicago Cubs 4–2 Won 2004 St. Louis Cardinals 4–0 Won 2007 Colorado Rockies 4–0 Won 2013 St. Louis Cardinals 4–2 Won 2018 Los Angeles Dodgers 4–1 Won The Red Sox’s nine championships rank among the highest totals in Major League Baseball. 1903: The First World Series Boston defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first modern World Series. The Americans won the best-of-nine series 5 games to 3. Pitcher Bill Dinneen won three games, including the championship-clinching game. Cy Young also pitched for Boston. 1912: One of Baseball’s Greatest World Series Boston defeated the New York Giants 4 games to 3, with one game ending in a tie. The deciding Game 8 was played at Fenway Park. 1915 and 1916 Boston won back-to-back championships. In 1915 the Red Sox defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 4–1. In 1916 they defeated the Brooklyn Robins 4–1. 1918 Boston defeated the Chicago Cubs 4–2. This would become the beginning of the famous 86-year championship drought. The Curse of the Bambino The Red Sox’s long championship drought became associated with the sale of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. Ruth had been a star pitcher and hitter for Boston. After his sale, the Yankees became a dominant franchise while the Red Sox endured decades without another World Series championship. Boston came close several times, including American League pennants in: 1946 1967 1975 1986 But each time, the World Series ended in disappointment. 2004: The Curse Finally Ends The 2004 Red Sox ended an 86-year World Series championship drought. Boston defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 4–0. The championship came after one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. Boston fell behind the New York Yankees three games to none in the American League Championship Series. The Red Sox then won four consecutive games to reach the World Series. The 2004 championship finally erased the “Curse of the Bambino.” 2007 World Series Three years later, Boston was back on top. The Red Sox defeated the Colorado Rockies 4–0. The club was led by players such as David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon and rookie sensation Jacoby Ellsbury. 2013 World Series The 2013 Red Sox won their third championship of the 21st century. Boston defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 4–2. David Ortiz was named World Series MVP. The championship was particularly meaningful because of the Boston Marathon bombing earlier that year. The team embraced the city with the phrase “Boston… Continue reading Boston Red Sox: A Complete History of Baseball’s Most Historic Franchises
